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Huawei's alternative to Android could be called Ark OS

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A few days ago, we were talking about Huawei's desire to develop its own OS faster than ever before so that it would no longer be dependent on Google, since its devices won't be able to use Android as before due to Trump's ban. According to the first rumblings, Ark OS could be the name of Huawei's Android replacement.

The decision may still be fresh, but Huawei is gradually reorganizing itself following the executive order signed by Trump. The Chinese giant has a short period of time to clarify things with Google after the withdrawal of its Android license (the license will expire on August 19). On the other hand, the manufacturer has accelerated the development of its own OS. Not only is this a huge technical challenge, but it's also a big risk that even a giant like Huawei cannot take lightly.

According to the initial information we now know, it is Huawei Ark OS that could be chosen as an alternative to Android. The Chinese company has filed an application for registration of the trademark "Huawei Ark OS" with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

No further details are available but several older reports suggested that the new OS would be compatible with Android applications. This would be a good idea since it would address one of the biggest weaknesses of the last competitors of Android and iOS (Ubuntu Touch, Firefox OS, WebOS...). Huawei would also plan to make Ark OS available on computers, tablets, smart TVs and wearables.

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Honor smartphones could also benefit from Ark OS. AndroidPIT

Finally, of course, it is still too early to know if Ark OS will be the definitive name chosen by Huawei for the general public, but the registration of the brand marks a first strong sign in the arrival of this alternative to Android on the market.

Do you think Huawei will be able to develop a strong alternative to Android quickly? Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below.

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Pierre Vitré

Pierre Vitré
Head of Content

Pierre has a strong passion for new technologies and mobile since its first StarTac. Android user since 2011, Pierre became totally hooked. He never leaves his smartphone and smartwatch and still believes in the success of Google Glass. That's why he joined AndroidPIT.fr to be the head of content.

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  • 49
    storm May 28, 2019 Link to comment

    But what arcthey going to run it on? without an ARM license or sd card license or bluetooth license.

    Any meaningful response would have to be totally new development without backward compatibility. They have to launch proprietary storage and wireless as well. If its as compatible as they say, it can't be sold outside of China without infringement.

    If they do roll it out in that timeframe, that's a strong indication of government code support. Which is part of the problem they're already accused of.

    Amr Bamane


    • Ravi Kanth 1
      Ravi Kanth May 29, 2019 Link to comment

      When you build your system, you pay for each component/hardware you include, what you pay for includes the licensing fee as well.

      To run any hardware you need a Kernel, which is the core or heart of any OS. This kernel has to have all the drivers for each hardware that you install. On top of the Kernel you have all the good looking GUI stuff.

      Android OS uses linux kernel, which as a matter of fact is free and open source, unlike Unix Kernel which is used by iOS. Similarly windows OS has its own Kernel and that's why each hardware provider gives you drivers to be installed on windows, so that windows Kernel interacts with the hardware else its as good as a dead hardware. And that is also the reason why you can install Windows, OSX or Linux etc in most of the intel processor based system as they all come with its drivers packaged in its kernel.

      So when Huawei built/sourced hardware for its phone it already paid all the licensing fee for those hardware's. They don't need anything else to pay for.

      This is why Trump also put a ban on selling hardware components from US manufacturers to Huawei.

      Making an OS is easy as long as you have opens source OS available. But making a perfect smooth and fluid OS supporting your hardware is not easy. Think of Android that caters to a large section of hardware's around the globe and perfecting it, is a massive game. While supporting and perfecting a limited hardware architecture is relatively not cumbersome, which is what apple leverage's on but yet could not perfect it.

      I don't see a large value proposition behind Trumps executive order, apart from making people around the globe loosing trust in US products. By doing this US may even loose a global database of private information that google, apple and microsoft already has. But who know what's in the minds of global think tanks, and how much funding they get from firms to put a big blow on google/huawei.


      • 2
        Steve Jun 1, 2019 Link to comment

        Hi ravi I think the trump threat is a American companie that used to teach and is now the student. Huawei has got to big for Americans boots 👢. Noahs ark ios will be backwards compatible with kirin chipsets and since the Google stance I've switched to opera and yahoo search engine. I own mate 10 pro it's the best phone 📱 ive ever owned and I think a new ark ios will probably be a brilliant thing for huawei but not for Google shame because I prefer Google to ios but brand loyalty to huawei means I'm on ark soz Google and I think a thew billion others will be to

        Ravi Kanth

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